City Council Will Hear Good News on Finances, Not-So-Good News on ABAG Housing Plan

It's mostly about money for the Piedmont City Council Tuesday night, and mostly the news is good, according to the city's finance director, Mark Bichsel.

Here's an excerpt from Bichsel's report accompanying the 2011-2012 mid-year fiscal reports:

"General Fund Revenues

"At mid year, general fund revenues are on target regarding budgetary estimates and are expected to remain so for the remainder of the fiscal year with two positive exceptions. Ambulance services charges are expected to increase from initial estimates of $220,000 to $290,000 and recreation service charges are expected to increase from $1,700,000 to $1,825,000. With these increased revenue sources, the general fund is projected to end the fiscal year with approximately $3.1 million in reserves.

"General Fund Expenditures

"General fund expenditures are below the 50% threshold at mid year and are expected to remain under budget for FY 11-12."

Also on the agenda:

• Consideration of a resolution which would extend the existing moratorium on new underground assessment districts in the City of Piedmont for two years. According to a staff report, reasons for an extension include litigation under way regarding the Piedmont Hills Underground Assessment District and policies and programs implementing recommendations of the (CCASC) and the currently being developed.
• Consideration of a letter to ABAG and “One Bay Area” concerning the
  Sustainable Communities Strategy. City Planner Kate Black notes, "Piedmont is expected to add 627 new households under all three scenarios, and 330 – 690 new jobs, depending on the scenario. Given that our (certified and adopted last year), states that we have 20-25 vacant lots that could each accommodate a single-family residence and a second unit, all three scenarios are completely unrealistic."

Before its public session, the council will meet in closed session to discuss labor negotiations and by Friends of Moraga Canyon.

The council will meet at 7:30 p.m. in the City Hall council chambers, 120 Vista Ave. (Normally the council meets on the first and third Mondays of each month; this meeting is delayed a day by the Jan. 16 federal holiday in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.)

Click on the PDF above to see the meeting agenda. Detailed staff reports on agenda items are available at the City of Piedmont website.